Years of Life Lost (YLL) Due to Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

(1) Background: Years of life lost (YLL) as a surrogate of health is important for supporting ambient air pollution related policy decisions. However, there has been little comprehensive evaluation of the short-term impact of air pollution on cause-specific YLL, especially in China. Hence in this study, we selected China as sentinel region in order to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate disease-specific YLL due to all the main ambient air pollutants. (2) Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate disease-specific YLL due to the main ambient air pollutants in China, and 19 studies were included. We conducted methodological quality and risk of bias assessment for each included study as well as for heterogeneity and publication bias. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. (3) Results: Meta-analysis indicated that increases in PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were associated with 1.99–5.84 years increase in YLL from non-accidental diseases. The increase in YLL to cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with PM10 and NO2, and the increase in YLL to respiratory diseases (RD) was associated with PM10. (4) Conclusions: Ambient air pollution was observed to be associated with several cause-specific YLL, increasing especially for elderly people and females.

Assessment of Low-Level Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Incidence in Gdansk, Poland: Time-Series Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…Similar findings were observed by Goldberg et al, who found positive associations between daily non-accidental mortality of the elderly group population and all air pollutants except for O 3 [ 59 ]. This specific susceptibility of elderly people was also emphasized by other researchers [ 26 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

Combustion, Chemistry, and Carbon Neutrality

“…44,51,71 In spite of progress with tightening regulations in many regions, however, air quality deterioration by combustion emissions, especially regarding fine particles, remains associated with a severe burden of years of life lost. 48,72 Adding to concerns about local combustion emissions and their influence on air quality, environment, and health, the climate impact from using fossil resources is recognized as a most urgent global problem. 73,74 Combustion of fossil fuels contributes substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from different sectors, particularly from energy systems (electricity from coal and natural gas), transport (road, maritime, aviation, and respective infrastructures), and industrial processes (e.g., production of metals, chemicals, cement, ceramics, glass, pulp, and paper).…”

“…Carbonaceous fine particles were detected in lung tissue from autopsies of 1952 London smog victims, and conserved aerosol samples from those times, analyzed later by high-resolution electron microscopy and ICP-MS, showed properties consistent with burning low-grade sulfur-rich coal . With increasing combustion emissions from mobile sources, different smog conditions, including also situations with photochemical atmospheric reactivity, have been described since. ,, In spite of progress with tightening regulations in many regions, however, air quality deterioration by combustion emissions, especially regarding fine particles, remains associated with a severe burden of years of life lost. , …”

The interplay between climate change and ageing: A systematic review of health indicators

“…Limitations such as small sample size studies or limited data availability usually restrict the statistical power and generalizability of the findings. Additionally, information is still scarce, and further research is needed, with regard to measurable indicators related to the impact of certain phenomena (heat waves, intense rains, air pollution, among others) on the physical and mental health of older adults [ 11 , 30 – 33 ].…”